No cakewalk
Move to 4A will be tough on Apaches
A relatively soft nonconference schedule last year and an upset in week one over West Fork helped propel Pottsville to a 7-3 regular season record, though the Apaches did win their final three conference games to secure a playoff spot.
Pottsville won’t be able to count on an easy schedule to help their record this year, as their three nonconference opponents had a combined 21-12 record in 2007. Once conference play rolls around, things don’t get any easier. The aforementioned West Fork has moved into the 4-4A with the Apaches and joins powers Dardanelle, Clarksville, Booneville and Ozark as the toughest games on Pottsville’s schedule.
Second-year head coach Bryan Rust said it’ll be tough being surrounded by so many good teams.
If the Apaches hope to make a return trip to the playoffs, where they were beat soundly by Harding Academy last year, they’ll have to get it done with speed.
Leading that charge will be senior running back Jonathan Huffman, a three-year starter, and tailback Will Vodrazka. Tyler Robertson will join the backfield at fullback, and they will all be taking hand-offs from quarterback Josh Falls in the Dead-T offense.
Up front, the line will be anchored by tackle David Jennen and guard Jacob McGuire, who is moving over from center.
Chase Warren will provide some physicality on the outside at tight end.
On defense, the Apaches get last year’s leading tackler, Huffman, back at free safety. He’ll be joined in the secondary by Warren at strong safety, and Robertson will play linebacker.
Just getting to the postseason last year has done a lot to lift the team’s spirits going into the 2008 campaign, though.
“I think as a team going into it, these guys are fairly confident,” Rust said. “They made the playoffs last year, and I think they liked it.”
This article was published August 24, 2008 at 5:00 a.m.